King Herod is a name that appears multiple times in the New Testament, referring to different rulers from the Herodian dynasty. Understanding who King Herod was in the Bible involves distinguishing between these various rulers, their roles, and their impact on the biblical narrative. The Herodian dynasty played a significant role during the time of Jesus and the early church, and their interactions with key biblical figures are recorded in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.
The most prominent Herod in the New Testament is Herod the Great, who ruled as the king of Judea from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC. Herod the Great is perhaps most infamous for his role in the narrative of Jesus' birth. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod the Great was the king who ordered the Massacre of the Innocents, an event where all male infants in Bethlehem under the age of two were killed in an attempt to eliminate the newborn "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:16). This act of brutality is consistent with historical accounts of Herod's reign, which describe him as a paranoid and ruthless ruler, willing to commit heinous acts to secure his throne.
Herod the Great was a master builder known for his extensive construction projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which became known as Herod's Temple. Despite his architectural achievements, his reign was marked by political maneuvering, familial strife, and suspicion, which led to the execution of several of his own family members, including his wife Mariamne and three of his sons.
After Herod the Great's death, his kingdom was divided among his sons, who are also referred to as "Herod" in the New Testament. Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Herod Philip each ruled different parts of Herod the Great's former territory. Herod Archelaus became ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea but was deposed by the Romans due to his misrule. Herod Antipas, who ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, is perhaps the most well-known of Herod's sons in the New Testament.
Herod Antipas is the Herod mentioned in the Gospels during the ministry of Jesus. He is the ruler who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist at the request of his stepdaughter Salome, as recorded in Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29. Herod Antipas also played a role in the trial of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Luke, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who was in Jerusalem at the time, but Herod mocked Jesus and sent him back to Pilate without rendering a judgment (Luke 23:6-12).
Another Herod mentioned in the New Testament is Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great. He is noted in the Acts of the Apostles for his persecution of the early church. Herod Agrippa I is the king who ordered the execution of James, the brother of John, and imprisoned Peter with the intention of executing him as well (Acts 12:1-4). However, Peter miraculously escaped from prison, an event that underscored the early church's resilience and God's intervention on behalf of His people (Acts 12:5-19).
Herod Agrippa I's reign ended dramatically, as recorded in Acts 12:20-23. During a public address, the people of Tyre and Sidon acclaimed him as a god, saying, "The voice of a god, and not of a man." Because Herod did not give glory to God, he was struck down by an angel of the Lord and died, "eaten by worms." This account serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of giving glory to God.
The last Herod mentioned in the New Testament is Herod Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I. He is known for his interaction with the Apostle Paul. When Paul was imprisoned and brought to trial, he had the opportunity to present his case before Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. This encounter is detailed in Acts 25:13-26:32, where Paul eloquently defended his faith and recounted his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Herod Agrippa II famously remarked to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28, KJV). Despite Agrippa's interest, Paul remained in custody and was eventually sent to Rome for trial.
The Herodian dynasty, with its complex web of political intrigue, familial conflict, and interactions with key figures in the New Testament, provides a backdrop to the unfolding story of Jesus and the early church. Each Herod played a distinct role, from the brutal actions of Herod the Great to the political maneuverings of Herod Antipas, and the persecution under Herod Agrippa I, to the judicial proceedings involving Herod Agrippa II.
Understanding these different Herods helps us appreciate the historical and political context in which the New Testament events occurred. The Herodian rulers, with their ambitions and flaws, contrast sharply with the message of Jesus and the early Christian movement, which emphasized humility, service, and allegiance to God's kingdom rather than earthly power.
In summary, King Herod in the Bible is not a single individual but a title held by several rulers from the Herodian dynasty, each with their own impact on the biblical narrative. Herod the Great's attempt to kill the infant Jesus, Herod Antipas' execution of John the Baptist and involvement in Jesus' trial, Herod Agrippa I's persecution of the early church, and Herod Agrippa II's hearing of Paul's defense all illustrate the complex interplay between political authority and the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
